Colace vs MiraLax – Which Is Better For Constipation?

Constipation is a condition in which an individual has infrequent or uncomfortable bowel movements.

If constipation persists more than 90 days, it is considered chronic.

Statistics

According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, in the United States, constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal problems, affecting over 43 million Americans.

In addition, it is the reason for over 715,000 emergency department trips and millions of clinic visits per year.

Causes

The condition has numerous causes, however, it is commonly the result of the slow movement of food through the digestive system.

Complications

Treatment

Treatment for constipation typically includes the following:

drinking lots of liquids (herbal tea and water are best);

getting more physical exercise to stimulate the bowels; it is recommended to do daily exercises, such as a brisk half-hour walk; you can also do about 150 minutes of moderate physical activity per week;

eating a high-fiber diet of whole grains, nuts, vegetables, legumes, seeds, and fruits. There are two types of dietary fiber: insoluble and soluble. Insoluble fiber sweeps things out like a broom while soluble fiber soaks things up like a sponge. The large intestine requires both types of fiber to function correctly.

Medications

If your bowel movements do not return to normal with the above treatments, your doctor may recommend medications, such as:

stool softeners;

bulk-forming laxatives;

combination medications;

lubricants;

stimulant laxative;

osmotic laxatives.

Here Is A Comparison Between A Stool Softener And A Laxative Solution That Are Effective In Relieving The Symptoms Associated With Constipation:

Colace

The active ingredient in Colace is docusate, a medication that is part of a family of laxatives called stool softeners (emollients).

These medications work by actively drawing fats and water into the stool, and easing bowel movement.

Miralax

The active ingredient in Miralax is Polyethylene Glycol (PEG) 3350, a common over-the-counter laxative which is used in the treatment of constipation.

Do not use polyethylene glycol 3350 for longer than seven days unless your healthcare professional recommends it. Do no use it more than once per day.

Also, do not take Miralax if you have an allergy to polyethylene glycol 3350 or kidney disease.

Drug Interactions

Docusate may interact in a negative way with the following medications:

mineral oil (a liquid mixture of hydrocarbons which is produced from petroleum).

Polyethylene glycol 3350 may interact in a negative way with the following medications:

prednisone (a corticosteroid that works on the immune system to help relieve redness, swelling, allergic reactions, and itching);

albuterol (a short-acting beta-2 adrenergic agonist);

Linzess (a drug which is used to treat irritable bowel syndrome);

Cipro (an antibiotic which is part of the family of medications known as quinolones).

Alcohol

Avoid alcohol intake while taking docusate as it will worsen your symptoms by causing dehydration.

It is recommended that you avoid the intake of alcoholic beverages while taking Miralax since drinking alcohol might worsen side effects caused by polyethylene glycol 3350 and can cause stomach problems.

Is It Safe During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding?

Docusate is considered safe to use during breastfeeding or pregnancy since stool softeners do not directly affect the digestive tract muscles.

Miralax is considered safe for short-term use during pregnancy. Regarding breastfeeding, it has minimal maternal systemic absorption, however, there are no human clinical studies regarding adverse effects on milk production or the risk of infant harm.

Conclusion: Colace vs MiraLax

In conclusion, both are effective, but Miralax is considered safer and more effective than Colace for the treatment of acute and chronic constipation.

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